News / I love Poland because... (in 10 words or less) [182]

I love Poland because over many decades the country has given "birth" to heroic characters, of uncommon magnitude and wisdom. I.e. John Paul II, Ojciec Rydzyk, czy chocby Donald Tusk,... (ok... you can take the most cheesey one out)

News / Is Poland ready for the swine fever stuff? [59]

You are bang on about the vaccines!
Although under the Texas law, for example, it is right to refuse any shots i.e. exempt your children from school vaccinations, many schools insist on a long list of injections, including 2ndary MMR's, Hepatitis B (statistically very low in US) etc.. If you show them your authorized affidavits (required for obtaining exemption), school heads will laugh at you and ask you take your kids out. This is quite scary and unlike in the UK where parents are prepared to take on the schools on such issues, here in US it’s each to his own.

Furthermore, I heard recently that some 90% of all vaccines distributed by governments are sourced from China, and are subject to practically no quality tests on delivery. I wonder if anyone knows where they get theirs from in Poland. I was vaccinated in Poland some 40 years ago against what we were told was “Ospa”. My US doctor having seeing the mark I have said that this was most definitely a TB jab.

Makes you wonder how little is known by the medical staff anywhere about what they are actually injecting children and adults with.

Life / Legally changing my Polish name to English one? [55]

Hey Marcin,
Think how you would feel if your name was Zdzislaw ( no offence to anyone,
my own uncle Zdzisalw is the best uncle ever).
When you say Zdzichu it sounds like a sneeze.

Work / I have a "zero" chance to succeed in Poland - I do not have a degree! [93]


Well, I won't argue. the thing is I came here thinking that US schools were rubbish, beacuse folks in Europe, who all read the same newspapers now, had told me so, but found that the schools here were better than in Europe. I like the concept of primary children being taught how to give a speech or a presentation, or how to manage other people, how to design and build a prototype of something of their own and describe it. These skills I remember pretty thin on the ground among graduates. MOre so in Poland than in England. If you tell me its the other way round then I have a question: Can a country have any industry competing in the world if their schooling system is not o.k.? Does Poland manufacture, say a car of their own design? cause they do have a few car Technikum's and plytechnics? What about chemical industry, food industry etc. Do they do anything that is not brought in in blue print from outside? Aviation? eh? buying old jets from US,.. helicopters?

Another thing, I agree about home schooling, that its better if the parent teaches a child
at home, no question. But what are the teachers being paid for through my taxes?
Listing what the kids need to know and giving out a stonking "zadanie domowe"
seems a bit of a cop out, don't you think?

Work / I have a "zero" chance to succeed in Poland - I do not have a degree! [93]


Ouch!!

;)

Work / I have a "zero" chance to succeed in Poland - I do not have a degree! [93]

What I gathered is the letters before your name are an offensive weapon dealing with people outside your family. You could call it down right irresponsible but actually my 3 kids have been in primary schools in 4 different countries: Canada, US, England and Poland. Luckily they are multilingual,extrovert and did o.k. in all. It gave me an excellent insight into how these countries schools compare:

Schools in England- children and teachers very friendly, good equipment, level of teaching fairly good, project based, most emphasis on team work, little homework, plenty of encouragement and less competition in the class. Teachers appreciate feedback and help from parents.

Canada - all the above but lower expected level to pass.
Poland - more rough treatment of children, teachers can get away with short temper/ sarcastic comments in the classroom. The level is cranked up by fear and memorizing a lot of material. Parents are expected to teach at home helping with homework (lots of)

very little is project based. There is strong rivalry among children and "friendly" is not easy to find.
US - feedback from parents is not encouraged. The expected level seems higher than in England. All project/problem based work in classroom. Almost no memorizing except in geography or languages. Lots of homework exercise in major subjects. More competitive than England. Very tight regime of rules of what is, or is not allowed. Friendly: better than Poland worse than England/ Canada.

Food / Polish dishes that could be prepared on Slow cooker? [14]

Ok.So here you have browned zeberka and what?
You put them in a slowcooker for how long?
Do you add water?

Food / Polish dishes that could be prepared on Slow cooker? [14]

Would you brown the meat first?

Food / MARMITE IN POLAND? [96]

My three girls have polish blood in them and love the stuff.
But then again they were introduced to it as soon as they could eat bread.

Work / What is a comfortable salary in Poland for a family? [7]

I guess that figure is after tax, right?

Life / Bad opinion about Polish people - rumour or the truth? [90]

I had things stolen from me in Warsaw. My Mum had her wallet stolen in Gdansk.

Study / Lessons and Uniforms at Polish Primary schools [8]

Do you know where you can buy one and if each school will have a different design?

Work / Can u teach English in Polish schools without a polish degree? [14]

Miranda, Can you tell me a little bit about it? Do you go directly to speak to headteacher when you are looking for a job or do you have to go to some kuratorium people? Can you land a permanent job or will it be a contract? How much are you likely to earn?

Work / Can u teach English in Polish schools without a polish degree? [14]

What if you don't.Can you teach based on TESL or TEFL certificates?

UK, Ireland / New BBC series following the lives of immigrants is looking for people [49]

I hope you will be filming positive things this time because last time I saw something on English TV about Poland and Polish people wasn't very nice. It pictured all the bad images and yet so many polish people are decent and work hard for what they have.